The National Unity Platform (NUP) has lost at least 23 parliamentary seats in the just-concluded general elections, the majority of them in the Buganda region.
All the lost seats were either reclaimed by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), which had lost them in the 2021 elections, or won by independents aligned to the ruling party.
In the current Parliament, NUP has 57 Members of Parliament, 55 of whom come from Buganda. Among the notable losses is Kawempe South, previously represented by Bashir Kazibwe. Kazibwe did not seek re-election following a fallout with NUP leadership. The party instead fielded Fred Nyanzi, the elder brother of party president Robert Kyagulanyi, who lost the seat.
NUP also lost Nakawa East to NRM’s Fred Ruhindi. The constituency is currently represented by Ronald Balimwezo, who did not contest after opting to run for Kampala Lord Mayor.
In Wakiso District, NUP candidates were defeated in Busiro North, Busiro South, and Entebbe Municipality. In Busiro South, NRM’s Kenan Opio defeated incumbent Charles Matovu, while in Busiro North, Moses Mayanja defeated Ronald Ssemaganda after incumbent Paul Nsubuga failed to secure the party ticket. In Entebbe Municipality, Alice Namuli lost to Steven Shyaka Gashaija. The incumbent MP, Michael Kakembo, had earlier defected to the Democratic Front.
In Nakaseke District, Nakaseke Central MP Allan Mayanja was defeated by the State Minister for Kampala, Kabuye Kyofatogabye.
Bukomansimbi District recorded a clean sweep against NUP, with all three MPs losing their seats. Woman MP Veronica Nannyondo, Bukomansimbi North MP Solomon Kayemba, and Bukomansimbi South MP Christine Ndiwalana were all defeated.
In Butambala District, both NUP Woman MP Aisha Kabanda and County MP Muwanga Kivumbi lost to independents Lydia Mirembe and Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi, respectively.
In Kiboga District, Woman MP Christine Kkaaya Nakimwero was defeated by NRM’s Desire Muhooza. Musicians-turned-politicians Hillary Kiyaga, popularly known as Dr Hilderman (Mawokota North), and Geoffrey Lutaaya (Kakuuto County) also lost their seats.
In Mityana District, NUP Woman MP candidate Mukisa Proscovia was defeated by Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba. The incumbent, Joyce Bagala, had earlier been denied the party ticket.
Other NUP MPs who lost their seats include Evans Kanyike (Bukoto East), Steven Sserubula (Lugazi Municipality), Goretti Namugga (Mawogola South), Suzan Mugabi (Buvuma Woman MP), Flavia Nabagabe (Kassanda Woman MP), and Frank Kabuye (Kassanda South).
Despite the losses, NUP managed to flip several seats. In Buganda, the party won six constituencies, including Kira Municipality, where prominent Kampala lawyer George Musisi defeated People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda by a margin of 6,876 votes.
NUP’s Harriet Nakwedde won the Kayunga District Woman MP seat, while Ivan Kyeyune secured Nakasongola County. The party also captured Mukono South from the Democratic Party after Robert Maseruka defeated Fred Kayondo, and Buikwe South after defeating PFF’s Lulume Bayiga. NUP further claimed Mubende Municipality from NRM’s Lubega Bashir.
Beyond Buganda, NUP extended its footprint in the Busoga sub-region, winning at least seven parliamentary seats.
Overall, NUP won 43 seats in the elections. This represents a reduction of 14 MPs from the current 57, in a Parliament composed of 459 territorial Members of Parliament.
